The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension have provided a fact sheet with recommendations on how to kill or control adult spotted lanternflies. The fact sheet includes a list of consumer insecticide products containing the most effective ingredients against this invasive species that have been studied to date (dinotefuran, imidacloprid, carbaryl, and

To All Pennsylvania Senators and Representatives: I am sending this letter to all the media in Pennsylvania and thousands of tax-paying drivers. You should VOTE NO ON SB 251. Thank you. Sincerely, Tom McCarey ————————————————————————————————————– Dear Editor: The Senate Appropriations Committee shamefully voted in favor of SB 215, giving RADAR and LIDAR to local cops in Pennsylvania. SB 251 should be renamed the “Speed Traps Everywhere Bill.” The Committee know that there is no epidemic of reckless speeding on Pennsylvania roads. PennDOT recently announced that Pennsylvania highways are the safest they have ever been. The Committee are woefully ignorant of true highway safety, as well. Proper speed limits are set at the 85th Percentile Speed of free flowing traffic: this is the

WHAT: Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) will host an Opioid Awareness Seminar in an effort to increase an understanding of the drug epidemic in the Lehigh Valley. A panel of experts on the subject of drug addiction will discuss how to deal with the opioid and heroin crisis in everyday situations. The public is encouraged to attend the free event.

HARRISBURG – Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Berks) is hosting a town hall meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Lower Macungie Township Community Center.

“Town hall meetings give me the opportunity to talk with area residents and learn about their concerns and answer any questions they may have regarding state issues,” said Mackenzie.

During the town hall meeting Mackenzie will provide an update on the 2017-18 state budget, legislation he has personally introduced and supported, as well as any other topics that may be of interest to attendees.

Those who would like to attend the meeting are asked to register in advance by calling the district office at (610) 965-9933 or going online at

In working to complete the 2017-18 budget package, the House this week approved legislation to generate enough revenue to close the projected budget gap. The “Putting People First” revenue package stands up for taxpayers by providing a fiscally responsible plan which contains no new or increased taxes or borrowing.

HARRISBURG – Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Berks) is inviting area senior citizens and their loved ones to his annual Senior Expo on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Lower Macungie Township Community Center, 3450 Brookside Road, Macungie. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

“This is always a fun event where neighbors and friends can meet up, get some great information, have a couple of health screenings performed, and even take a chance on winning a door prize,” said Mackenzie. “I encourage seniors in the

The Lehigh County Republican Committee VP, Dean Browning, has resigned effective Friday the 15th. Proceeds to scold the Chairwoman, Jessica Bonotai. The Commentator has obtained a copy of the letter. Please see below;

Jessica:

This is to follow-up our meeting this morning and to give you written notice that I am resigning my position as vice chair of the Lehigh County Republican Committee effective today.

I have truly enjoyed working with you and Trevor over the past 19 months and I believe you have been a very effective chair with a number of positive accomplishments. As a result, this is not a step that I take lightly. However, it is vitally important that the members of the Lehigh County Republican Committee as